L.I.F.E. Scholarships are about LIVING!
The Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (L.I.F.E.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, strives to promote lupus awareness, encourages self-advocacy, and supports teamwork in the fight against lupus. A variety of merit-based scholarships are awarded to college students overcoming the affects of lupus, its many treatments, and the demands of college and every day life. Our applicants—along with other college students with lupus, must also learn to cope and respond affectively with the growing concerns of COVID-19 among immune-compromised individuals.
Every year the L.I.F.E. Scholarship Committee and the L.I.F.E. Team has the difficult task of selecting awardees from a competitive pool of highly qualified Finalists. The academic year of 2021/22 is no different. Currently, the following L.I.F.E. Scholarship applicants have been chosen as Finalists for the academic year of 2021/22. All L.I.F.E. Scholarship finalists are listed--in no particular order--by name and college.
List of Finalists for the 2021/22 L.I.F.E. Scholarship:
Isabella McCray — Wingate University, NC
Kristen Bunin — Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA
Cydney White — University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD
Tene’ LaShawn Jones — University of South Carolina, SC
Zoe Vaz — University of Pennsylvania, PA
Sitara Lewis — University of California Los Angeles, CA
Leah Wasson — Macalester College, MN
Bailey Valdes — East Carolina University, MD
Grace Thayer — California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Delaney Gaige — Blinn College, TX
Laila Robinson — James Madison University, VA
Aria Hill — Virginia Tech, VA
Thu Vu — University of Portland, OR
Gabriella Cayzedo — undecided, Poolesville High School, MD
Hannah Adams — Ball State University, IN
Jessica Langley — McKinney School of Law, IN
Ashland York — Sam Houston State University, TX
Each and every L.I.F.E. Scholarship finalist is worthy of a merit-based scholarship. Therefore, it is truly an accomplishment to be a L.I.F.E. Finalist, and you should feel honored to be listed as such. The L.I.F.E. Scholarship Committee is at work trying to find as many sponsors as possible. If you know of someone interested in sponsoring a courageous student living with lupus, please send use an email.
*Note: Finalists are typically contacted after this announcement is posted for a number of reasons: an interview, to take part in an informational survey, to provide additional information based on a particular sponsor, or to confirm part of your application. If you are chosen as a Finalist, you are a winner in every sense of the word. Now you are part of an exclusive team of “Lupus Warriors” that will continue to learn, teach others, and conquer lupus with courage, determination and perseverance.*
Each and every applicant matters.
Jodi L. Norton, President of L.I.F.E.